35mm Camera Parts

The Pentax K-1000 “Student Special”. The classic 35mm SLR.

SLR• The single-lens reflex

(SLR) is a type of camera that uses a movable mirror placed between the lens and the film to project the image seen through the lens to a focusing screen.

• Most SLRs use a roof pentaprism to observe the image via an eyepiece.

1. Lens

2. Mirror (“reflexive”)

3. Shutter

4. Film (focal plane)

5, 6, 7. Pentaprism

8. Viewfinder

Parts: What they do

1. Rewind release: Small button that allows the film to rewind without breaking camera or ruining film… Think clutch.

2. Tripod mount: Universal threaded hole to attach a tripod

3. Battery cover: Self explanatory

4. Rewinder: Turn clockwise to return film to canister after shooting

5. Camera back release: Pull upward to open back of camera

6. Hot shoe: Electrical connection for a separate flash unit

7. Shutter speed dial: Timer which sets shutter duration

The Rest…8. ISO indicator: Sets the film speed (or ISO)

9. Shutter release button: Releases the shutter. (takes the picture)

10. F-Stop ring: AKA aperture ring. Turns to change the aperture from big to small

11. Film advance lever: Moves the film to the next frame so pictures don’t overlap

12. Viewfinder: Shows you what you are taking a picture of

13. Focusing ring: Moves lens elements back and forth depending on your lens to subject distance (makes picture sharp)

14. Self timer: Set shutter to release after a brief delay

15. Lens:Series of shaped, polished glass elements that form image on film

Up Close: The Lens

• The Aperture ring consists of F numbers or F-Stops. These numbers represent the different aperture sizes.

• The bigger the number, the smaller the opening.

Depth of Field • Your aperture size controls D.O.F.

• This is defined as the amount of a picture that is in focus.

Picture made with small apertureGreat depth of field. (F22)

Picture made with large apertureShallow depth of field. (F2)

Up Close: Shutter Speed Dial• The shutter speed dial is a timer

divided into fractions of a second.

• On a typical manual camera these numbers go from 1 (one second) to 2000 (1/2000th of a second)

• B or “Bulb” keeps the shutter open as long as the shutter release is depressed.

2000 1000 500 250 125 60 30 15 8 4 2 1 B The numbers above show the shutter speeds in order from fastest to slowest

Shutter Speed

Picture made with slow shutter speed 1/4th second

Pictures made with fast shutter speeds 1/2000th second

Shutter Speed controls Motion.

A fast shutter speed (1/1000th) freezes motion.

A slow shutter speed (1/15th) blurs motion.

Shutter Speed Continued

• The slowest shutter speed you can hand hold is 1/60th.

• Anything slower (1/30, 1/15, 1/8…) must be shot with the camera on a tripod.

Example of “camera shake”caused by a slow shutter speed.

Loading Film1. Pull upward on the Rewinder to pop the camera

back open.2. After inserting the canister into the camera, stick

the film leader into one of the slots.3. Release the shutter and advance the film once.4. When the film wraps around the spool, close the

camera back and shoot two more frames.

Using a Light Meter•The light meter shows you, with three lights, when you are overexposed, underexposed or properly exposed. Changing the aperture and/ or shutter speed will change your exposure.

•To activate a light meter, press lightly on the shutter release button

Red “plus” light =

Overexposure

Red “plus” & Green light= slight

Overexposure

Green light =

Correct exposure

Red “minus” & Green light= slight

Underexposure

Red “minus” light =

Underexposure